كتب : Omar AbdelAziz
The Bafana squad witnessed a slight change to the side that beat the African champions in Polokwane in March, most notably the absence of Tottenham defender Bongani Khumalo due to injury.
Golden Arrows midfielder Thanduyise Khuboni was also ruled out with injury, but high-profile names like Steven Pienaar, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Katlego Mphela are there to boost Mosimane’s roster.
Egypt host South Africa in Cairo on June 5, knowing that nothing less than a victory would see them slump to an embarrassing exit from the qualifiers for the first time ever.
Bafana, on the other hand, could be one step closer to booking their place in the Gabon/Equatorial Guinea finals should they repeat their victory over Hassan Shehata’s team.
"We are going to their stable and they know that nothing less than victory will mathematically kick them out of qualification for this tournament," coach Mosimane said.
"So we are expecting a very difficult match with more attack, more aggression, and more stress levels. But I am confident that the team we have selected will be able to absorb all of that.
"This is a match that will need more brains, that will also need us to have very high tactical discipline.
"We have to do everything in our power to get a result because our objective is to come back top of our group as we have Niger breathing down our necks with one point behind us."
South Africa squad:
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune, Wayne Sandilands, Mbongeni Mzimela
Defenders: Siboniso Gaxa, Bevan Fransman, Anele Ngcongca, Siyabonga Sangweni, Morgan Gould, Tsepo Masilela, Mzivukile Tom, Happy Jele
Midfielders: Siphiwe Tshabalala, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Steven Pienaar, Andile Jali, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Tlou Segolela, Hlompho Kekana, Thulani Serero, George Maluleka
Strikers: Davide Somma, Bernard Parker, Katlego Mphela